Effect of intercritical annealing holding time on microstructure and properties of medium manganese steel in I&amp;Q&amp;P process

LAN Guinian; XIE Jiaxuan; YAN Bowei; LIU mingbo; LI Hongbin; YANG Yinye; ZHOU Chaogang

doi:10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.021

Volume 47 Issue 1

Feb. 2026

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LAN Guinian, XIE Jiaxuan, YAN Bowei, LIU mingbo, LI Hongbin, YANG Yinye, ZHOU Chaogang. Effect of intercritical annealing holding time on microstructure and properties of medium manganese steel in I&Q&P process[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(1): 180-188. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.021

Citation:

LAN Guinian, XIE Jiaxuan, YAN Bowei, LIU mingbo, LI Hongbin, YANG Yinye, ZHOU Chaogang. Effect of intercritical annealing holding time on microstructure and properties of medium manganese steel in I&Q&P process[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(1): 180-188. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.021

Citation:

LAN Guinian, XIE Jiaxuan, YAN Bowei, LIU mingbo, LI Hongbin, YANG Yinye, ZHOU Chaogang. Effect of intercritical annealing holding time on microstructure and properties of medium manganese steel in I&Q&P process[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(1): 180-188. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.021

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Effect of intercritical annealing holding time on microstructure and properties of medium manganese steel in I&Q&P process

doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.01.021

1.
Shougang Shuicheng Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd., Liupanshui 553000, Guizhou, China
2.
College of Metallurgy and Energy, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
3.
Beijing Xincaidao Digital Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. Beijing 100016
4.
College of Materials Science and Engineering, GuizhouMinzu University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
5.
School of Mathematical Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China

More Information

Received Date: 2025-06-15
Accepted Date: 2025-09-28
Rev Recd Date: 2025-09-16

Available Online: 2026-02-25

Publish Date: 2026-02-25

Abstract

Abstract

The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of hot-rolled 6Mn medium manganese steel subjected to a critical intercritical annealing–quenching–partitioning (I&Q&P) process were investigated using SEM, XRD, tensile testing, and Thermo-Calc software with the DICTRA module. Annealing durations of 10, 30, and 60 minutes were employed to elucidate the effect of annealing time on phase transformation behavior and mechanical performance of the studied steel. The results show that as annealing time prolongs, the microstructure gradually transforms from initial blocky ferrite and martensite to lath martensite with finely dispersed retained austenite. The volume fraction of retained austenite increases from 17.6% with 10-minutes holding time to 21.1% with 60 minutes holding time, while its carbon content rises from 0.78% to 1.31%. DICTRA simulations reveal that as the annealing time extends, the γ/α phase interface broadens continuously, and Mn partitioning into austenite forms a concentration gradient, significantly enhancing austenite stability. After annealing for 60 minutes, the specimen exhibits optimal mechanical properties, with an ultimate tensile strength of 1121 MPa, total elongation of 29.1%, and a product of strength and elongation (PSE) of 32.6 GPa·%.
- intercritical annealing–quenching–partitioning,
- medium manganese steel,
- mechanical properties,
- DICTRA,
- Mn partitioning

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References(21)

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